The Indonesian Military has said by 2008 it would have a squadron of 10 Sukhoi jet fighters, with Russia pledging one billion U.S. dollars in credit for the arms purchase, local press reported Monday.

Indonesia plans to buy six more jet fighters from Russia through the one billion dollars loan signed by Defense Ministry Secretary-General Sjafrie Sjamsuddin on Friday in Moscow, The Jakarta Post reported.

"We have four Sukhoi jet fighters now. We hope that, with the new agreement, we could have a squadron by 2008," Sjafrie was quoted as saying.

Indonesia also plans to buy 10 MI17 U-5 carrier helicopters and five combat choppers through the loan scheme. It will also purchase two submarines, 20 amphibious tanks and anti-aircraft missiles for its navy.

Sjafrie said Indonesia would need 1.3 billion dollars for arms procurement between 2006 and 2010.

Indonesia purchased the first four Sukhois, along with two MI- 35 helicopters worth 192 million dollars in 2003.

Source: Xinhua